The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-03-31
THE COMMISSION.


sonnel of the Interstate Commerce Com
mIssion-A Difficult Task In PrOspe~t-
Commissioner Morrison Eager for the
Fray-An Avalanche OF Correspondence
Ready to Fall
WASHINGTON, March 24-The personnel
of the Interstate Commerce Commission
is the chief topic of conversation here.
and, as general thing. the composition
of the commission seems to give satisfac-
ton The high character, competence
and special fitness of the five gent emen
for the work before them, is generally ad-
mitted and is considered ample conf
pcnsation for the long delay in appointing
them, and the President is freely credited
with having brought one Oh the most diff
ficuIt tasks he has yet encountered to d
very gratifying and successful conclusion.
TIE Critic, in this connection, while
commenting cditoriaiy on the composition
OF the commission. doubtless reflects the
opinion of fair minded men Of all parties
in saying: 1.-THE President has done wise
ly, as a matter OF self-defensc, in select
ing commissioners on tire basis of merit,
and thus relieving himself Of respons.-
bility in greater degree than he coul5
have done by appointments based in
greater degree upon political or personal
considerations"
The organ cation Of the Commission is
the next thing looked for. The commits
sions Of the m embers were signed by the
President yesterday, and were ready to
be sent to them. and it is expected they
will meet i'll Washington in few days
and organize ard gctreadv for the delicate
and difficult duties before them, and
which will begin on the 5th Of next month.
the date on which the Interstate Com
merce law goes into effect
Four Of the commissioners are at their
homes and will require come time to C ose
up their p resent business affairs. Colonel
MCrrIson, who is in Washington, desires
to return TO his home and settle up some
personal matters The delay on the part
of the commissioners IN getting together
and organizing is not as serious as the
delay which, il is feared, will grow out Of
the selection Of quarters and clerks, and
the performance of a vast amount ci
correspondence before the commission
can take intelligent action on any OF the
problems that are sure TO be thrust upon
it The gravest and most fundamental
questions have arisen uuder the new law,
and upon these it is of the utmost import
ance that the commission should clearly
define its position before proceeding with
The work. Two members OF the com mis-
very little attention to these questions.
The questions referred to are Of the most
radical character. In the first place, it is
disputed whether the law apples TO ship
ments made from one point 10 another
within State, or only to those from
one State 10 another The con-
structiOH Of the clause ''under
like circums tances and conditions"
the clause in reference to long and short
hauls, and other phrases used in the act.
and provisions made b. il, are so various
~ construed by constitutional lawyers,
that one construction would reduce the
effects Of the new law to the most unim-
portant character, while another would
lead TO complete rcvc, sal OF commercial
conditions and transportation methods.
aud affect every branch of trade and every
interest throughout tho United States.
While it is generally believed that the
commission is so constituted as TO secure
conservative rulings on these questions,
it is conceded that many POINTS of vast
Importance are in doubt
TIE bill appropriates $I09, 600 for ali ex-
penses of the COMMISSION for the first
year Of its existence, while other expenses
{ accidental tO it are to be met out of other
appropriations for the Interior Depart
meut and the courts.
The salaries of five commissioners at
$500 each, and or the secretary at $3.50,
and other stipulated expenses, leaves
about $4,000 10 be expended for assist
ance, clerical service, etc. This repre-
sents large clerical and official force, to
be appointed in such manner, at such
rates and for such duties as the commits
sion sees fit, but subject Rn every case to
the approval Of the Secretary Of the In
terror. A large and important bureau will
unGou btedv be rapidly organ eel
Information has been received that
thousands of commune Isious, queries,
complaints, etc, are ready to pour IN upon
the commission whenever it is ready to
receive them. A gentleman well qualified
TO speak, recently told the President that
a house full OF such documents was ready
for mailing as soon as the commission or
gained.
Mr.. Morrison says that he hopes and
expects the other commissioners vii!
reach Washington in a day or two, so
they can organize and get ready for work
rs soon as posS ible Ire could not, of
course, IN advance of meeting his col
leagues, with certainty say what ques-
lions would first engage the attention OF
the commission. The disputed law Ques-
tiens would probably be taken up at once,
and as an Interpretation was reached and
agreed upon in each case, it would be pub
iicly announced. Mr.. Morrison spoke con-
fidently of the beneficent results that
would grow out of the enforcement of
the new law, and If the other members of
the commission, when they reach Wash
ington, are as eager for the fray as he ap-
pears 20 be, it will not be many DAYS be-
fore the commission will be hard at
work.
Senator Edmunds in an interview spoke |
highly of Mr.. Walker, the Vermont MEM |
Der of the commission, whom, he said, he |
knew thoroughly. Mr.. Walker, he said, |
has had considerable experience as |
State legislator, in dealing with railroad |
questions. He was a man of extraordi- |
nary ability, fine scholar, man of lit |
erary attainments, vigorous, industrious !
and honest ''all the way through and |
a strong man in every respect. When |
questioned about the report that Mr.. |
Walker was appointed upon Mr.. Ed |
munds' recommendation, the Vermont I
Senator replied: ~ don't recommend any |
body. l sometimes give testimony as to |
the fitness of people for public duties, but |
I don't recommend"
-
The Fate OF IL. 8. Boyd.
SYRACUSE, n. Y, March a4-It is learned !